Governor Picks Former Aide to Succeed Kerry in Senate

By

Jennifer Levitz and

Corey Boles

Updated Jan. 30, 2013 3:56 p.m. ET

BOSTON—Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick named William "Mo" Cowan, his former chief of staff and legal counsel, on Wednesday to succeed Sen. John Kerry in the Senate until a special election is held on June 25.

Mr. Cowan's appointment means the Senate will have two African-American senators for the first time, following the appointment last year of former Rep. Tim Scott of South Carolina to serve the remaining two years of...